Nellie McCalvin Nichols, 94, of Benton Harbor, MI had her Sunrise on July 28th, 1925, and her Heavenly rise at the age of 94 on June 5th, 2020. She was born in Portageville, MO to the union of Peter and Ada Jackson. She was the second eldest child out of seven children. It was obvious that growing up she must have loved children, cooking, and baking, especially cheesecakes and sweet potato pies.
Nellie married her first husband, Clarence McCalvin, and lived in Chicago, IL for a short while where she was a cook in a hotel. They then moved to Benton Harbor, MI. They wanted to have a child together and adopted their first child. A young boy by the name of Lanny Glass. They also loved, cherished, and took care of a very special nephew by the name of Gregory Glass. He was like a son to them as well. Her husband passed away in 1971 and she continued to take care of her boys with tender love and care, and occasionally a small branch from the tree.
Nellie worked in the deli at Kmart for several years making food and those delicious subs until she retired. Her love for children and making sure that everyone was fed grew stronger. She helped family, friends, co-workers, and anyone that needed help. That love grew so much that she became a state-certified daycare provider and foster parent. The name that everyone knows “Aunt Nellie” will live in our hearts forever. Taking care of children was not a job for her, it was her goal in life. She did this for many years and her real reward was knowing that she did what she could to help take care of others. During this time, she married Lyle Nichols Sr. He as well was very fond of children and gave them everything they wanted. They also adopted a second son, Michael, who they dearly loved and cherished. We can say that they “unofficially” retired from daycare and foster care in 1998 but was still there for anyone in need.
Nellie dearly loved everyone, and no one was a stranger. She truly loved her family, especially all her grandchildren. She also loved to play cards and having family gatherings.
Nellie was proceeded in death by her parents, brother Peter Jackson, sisters Chattie Harris, Clemmie Ward and Lottie Coleman, first husband, Clarence McCalvin, sons Sylvester Jennings and Gregory Glass, second husband, Lyle Nichols Sr, daughters Delores Bonds, Barbra Johnson, and Irene Nichols, son Michael Nichols, granddaughters Brenda Nichols, and Christine Nichols, grandson Jeffery Nichols, and great-grandson Antonio McMillon.
Nellie leaves to cherish her memories: sons Lanny (Alicia) McCalvin, Brian Nichols, and daughter-in-law Juanita Jennings all of Benton Harbor MI, son Lyle (Beverly) Nichols Jr of Dowagiac MI, sister Pollie Stovall of Kalamazoo MI, and brother Jodie (Ernestine) Jackson of Cleveland OH. She will also be missed by a host of friends, neighbors, nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
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